I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Julius woke at dawn this morning, energy coursing through his veins as eagerness covered his features.

Not wasting time, he washed with a wet towel before putting on his college uniform. Yet, his movements momentarily paused as his gaze lingered on his spruced new equipment. Of similar taste to his big brother, he bought a set of light armor, leather vambraces, and sturdy boots, all reaching the uncommon rank of the third tier.

Despite wishing to buy better quality items, the prices dissuaded him. After all, each piece's price hovered around three thousand five hundred gold coins. Unfortunately, epic-quality equipment was still out of his budget, not to mention his need for beast cores.

Thus, proceeding methodically, he bought tier-three cores related to the five elements to improve his cultivation harmoniously.

Thinking about cultivation, his big brother told him he had a surprise for him once he broke through the Golden Core Realm. Unfortunately, he only received smirks and mysterious remarks despite his attempts to glean information.

Ready to start their busy day, he shook Arun awake, advising, "I'll awaken big bro in a minute. You'd better be out of bed."

"Thank you," responded Arun, yawning as he tried to chase sleep away. Despite his diligence and willingness, he still struggled to awaken early. Thankfully, Julius helped him since his return, bringing stability to his schedule.

"Don't mention it," Julius said, patting his shoulder with a smile before walking to the door and leaving for their meeting.

On his way, he shook Adam awake. The first thing the ghost did was search for his disciple, annoyance covering his features.

"I'm sure he overslept today!" He exclaimed, readying his mage's hand. Alas, he noticed the boy running around the dorm under the rising sun, causing him to smile. "I have nothing more to teach him," he added, proud of Arun's progress. They were already of the same tier. The only thing Arun lacked was time and knowledge, two things he couldn't help with.

"I told you I was the best teacher. Look, he even surpassed you!" Adam said, a cheeky smile plastered on his face.

"I don't really care. In combat, I'll beat him a hundred times out of a hundred," responded Julius, unbothered by the teasing. If he learned something while navigating their dangerous journey, it was that tiers didn't matter. Only strength, technique, and wits did. Your next chapter awaits on empire

"You speak like a real cultivator now!" Adam said, nodding with a smile. Then, he focused on his recent gains.

Under Shepard's teachings, he brewed multiple potions, including ones focused on strength, agility, and vitality. But that wasn't all. After the classical boosting elixirs, the dean taught him why alchemists were indispensable to any nation.

He learned to brew offensive mixtures as potent as tier-four spells. The thing of note about them was their utilisation. Anyone could throw them to cause thunder, poison, or fire to engulf a small area. Shocked by the discovery, he sadly thought, 'They invented much stronger grenades before me.'

Next, he learned the basics of equipment crafting, using mana as tools to work on the materials. Sadly, Shepard's expertise proved limited as his research focused on spells, rituals, and potions. Fortunately, Durazmarn's soul orb lay in his apartment's room, a wealth of knowledge about crafting waiting to be discovered.

Finally, after brewing five potions successfully, his interface raised his alchemist rank to the fourth tier. Ironically, he got another title for being the first to reach that grade, causing him to facepalm.

As this bitter memory resurfaced, Julius stood before a classroom, asking curiously, "Do you think she got the grimoire?"

"With her character, she would have come boasting the moment she did," Adam answered, shaking his head, feeling trouble brewing.

Echoing his words, Julius pushed the door open, revealing Elysia's green hair, pointed ears, and despondent expression.

Upon hearing the door, she said, "I failed. Even offering your mysterious method to become an adept didn't sway him."

With a loud, disappointed exhale, Adam asked, "It's time for Plan B, then. What do you recommend?"

"Isn't it obvious? Since you are a ghost, I'll help you infiltrate the treasury for you to steal the grimoire!" Elysia answered, her green eyes burning with determination. Her convictions driving her, she craved to confirm if Adam was the one Selene had been waiting for.

'Even if he is not, I won't lose anything,' She thought, remembering his promise to return the grimoire after his ritual. This deal had to go through since she would end up winning either way.

However, her offer caused Adam's eyes to narrow. "I don't steal," he said solemnly, crossing his arms above his ethereal chest.

"What? You'll only borrow it! Why do you care about stealing, anyway? Everyone does at some point!" Answered Elysia, wondering how, from all the existing people, she had to deal with such a naive ghost.

"It might sound stupid. But it is who I am," Adam said, guarding himself against the temptation. He could indeed steal it, but didn't he have more options? Weren't there other noble families possessing ancestral grimoires? With this fact established, was it right to relinquish his principles for easiness? Somehow, he felt it was wrong.

After answering, he turned to Julius, saying with a bitter smile, "Let's find someone else." Time was short, but he still had a little less than two months before the Beast emperor lent him his sigil.

However, Elysia rapidly yelled, "Wait! You must get that grimoire! If you refuse, I'll force you!"

"Why?" Adam asked, his eyes narrowing at the threat. 'Did her desire to become an adept obscure her rationality?' He thought, ready to defend himself.

"Do you remember how I told you Selene tasked his descendants to give his grimoire to someone living on the borders of life and death? I suspect you are that person! By retrieving it, you are not stealing but getting what was rightfully yours!" Elysia said, her green eyes alight with righteousness and passion.

Silence engulfed the room as Adam pondered her words. It would be a lie to say the grimoire's mysterious contents didn't attract him. 'Isn't it fine if the initial owner agreed?' He thought, his mind racing.

Truthfully, Elysia's arguments weren't wrong. He would only borrow the grimoire with a direct descendent's permission. 'Why is it so hard to be honest?' He thought, smiling wryly as Julius and Elysia awaited his decision.